Prime Minister's Office
English rendering of PM’s remarks at review meeting with districts having low vaccination coverage
The issues that you put forth and the experiences that you shared are very important. I can see that you also have the same spirit that your state, district and locality should be free from this crisis as soon as possible. It is the festival of Diwali and I can understand the hectic schedule of the Chief Ministers. I am very grateful to all the respected Chief Ministers for taking out time to be present with us. It is true that I wanted to speak to the people of the districts and did not want to disturb the Chief Ministers. But it is the commitment of the Chief Ministers and their goal of 100% vaccination in their statesthat they are here and their presence will give a new confidence and strength to the officers of our districts. It is a matter of great happiness for me and I express my special gratitude to the Chief Ministers for giving so much importance to this meeting and taking out time to sit with us during the festive period.
I thank all the Chief Ministers from my heart and I am sure that today’s deliberations will lead to good results due to their blessings. And let me tell you that the progress we have made till date is because of your hard work. Every employee of the district, village and our ASHA workers has worked very hard. They have travelled on foot to many far flung areas to deliver vaccines. But if we slacken after the one billion dose achievement, there may be a new crisis. Therefore, there is a saying in our country that diseases and enemies should never be underestimated. We have to fight till the very end and, therefore, I would like not to let our guard down.
Friends,
The country has faced many challenges during this biggest pandemic of 100 years. There was something special in the country's fight against Corona that we found new solutions and tried innovative ways. People explored new things in their areas. You also have to put in more efforts to step up vaccination in your respective districts through innovative ways. New methods, new enthusiasm and new technology will infuse life into this campaign. You also have to bear in mind that the states which have completed the 100% first dose phase have also faced different challenges. There were difficulties due to geographical conditions or resources. But these districts have overcome these challenges.We all have several months of experience as far as vaccination is concerned. We have learned a lot and our ASHA workers have also learned how to fight with an unknown enemy. Now you have to move ahead with strategies at micro level. Let’s forget the narrative of the state or district. We have to target those houses which have been left out of vaccination in villages. We have to remove whatever shortcomings are there. As you said about special camps, it is a good idea. If you have to make different strategies for each village and each town in your districts, then go ahead. You can also do this by forming a team of 20-25 people depending on the region. We can also try to have a healthy competition in the teams that you form.You should also take maximum help from our young friends of NCC-NSS. You can also make a region wise time-table of your respective districts and set your targets. I keep talking to our colleagues from the government at the grass root level. I have seen that the women officers who are involved in vaccination are working with great enthusiasm and they have given good results. Take the help of our women employees in government and our women force in the police for 5-7 days. The results will be very astonishing. You will have to put your maximum efforts to take your districts nearer to the national average as soon as possible. In fact, I want you to go beyond that. I know you are facing the challenge of rumors and a state of confusion among people. And as we move forward,we may face these problems in concentrated areas. Many of you have mentioned this during the conversation. A major solution to this is to make people more aware.You should also connect local religious leaders in this endeavor, take their help, make their short videos of about 2-3 minutes and make these videos popular. Religious leaders should explain to peoplein these videos which should reach every house. I often meet gurus of different sects regularly. I had talked to many religious leaders in the very beginning and appealed to them for their help in this work. All of them are very supportive of vaccination and no one opposes it. Just two days ago, I also met Pope Francis at the Vatican. We also have to lay special emphasis on spreading the messages of the religious leaders regarding vaccination among the masses.
Friends,
There is now a move to take the vaccination campaign to every household to help and motivate the people in your districts. The mantra of ‘Har GharDastak’  will be initiated in every household lacking the security net of a double dose of vaccine. So far, you have made arrangements for taking people to the vaccination centers and for safe vaccinations there. Now we have to reach every household with the spirit of ‘Har GharTika, GharGharTika’ .
Friends,
We have to make full use of our social infrastructure from technology to communication for the success of this campaign. We have many such models in states and districts of the country which have been adopted for 100% vaccination from remote villages to cities. You should adopt whatever model is suitable for you or for a particular area according to the social or geographical conditions. You can do one more thing. Many of your colleagues have carried out vaccination in their districts at a rapid pace. It is possible that they have also gone through the same challenges you are facing. You should also try to find out from them how they increased the pace of vaccination and how they solved the problems. Your one phone call to them can bring a change in your district. You can also duplicate their innovative strategies or some of their good practices in your districts.We will have to step up our efforts to vaccinate our tribal communities and forest dwellers. Our experience so far shows that local leadership with the support and cooperation of other respected peers in the society is a big factor in the successful vaccination campaign.We have to dedicate some days as well. For example, the birth anniversary of Birsa Munda ji is approaching. Create an atmosphere in the entire tribal areas ahead of the birth anniversary of Birsa Munda ji that vaccination will be a true tribute to him. Similarly, we will have to think on such emotional lines. I think this approach will also be very useful in the complete vaccination of this tribal community. Better results will follow if we keep the communication related to vaccines simple and in their local languages and dialects. I have seen some people making vaccination-based songs in local dialects.
Friends,
While knocking on every household, you all have to pay equal attention to the second dose along with the first dose. Because whenever the infection cases start declining, the feeling of urgency also wanes. People tend to think ‘what is the hurry;we will get the vaccines later’. I remember when we crossed the one billion dose mark I went to a hospital where I met a gentleman. I asked him why he did not take the vaccine for so long. He said he was a wrestler and did not feel the need for it. ‘Now that one billion doses has been achieved, I came here for vaccination because, otherwise, I would be considered an untouchable if I did not and my head would hang in shame. Therefore, I decided to get myself vaccinated and came here’. Therefore, I urge we don’t have to let our guard down. It is because of this approach that many developed countries are now concerned with the increasing number of corona cases. For a country like ours, we cannot afford to tolerate it. Therefore, it is very important to take both the doses of the vaccine on time. You have to contact the people in your areas on priority basis who have not yet received the second dose despite the completion of the prescribed time and get them vaccinated.
Friends,
Under the ‘Free Vaccine for All’ campaign, we have administered about 2.5 crore vaccine doses in a day, and demonstrated our capabilities. The entire supply chain network is in place for door-to-door delivery of the vaccines. Detailed information regarding the availability of vaccines this month has also been shared with every state in advance. Therefore, you can plan your targets for this month in advance according to your convenience. Now there is an enthusiasm to celebrate Diwali after crossing the one billion dose mark and we have to meet the new targets to celebrate Christmas with equal zeal and enthusiasm. We have to move ahead with this spirit.
In the end, I want to remind you friends one more thing. Recall the day when it was your first day of government service. I want to appeal to all the district officers and the teams sitting with them. Recall your first day of your duty when you graduated after training from Mussoorie. What were the feelings, your passion and dreams? I am sure that you had the intention of doing something good for society and work wholeheartedly for this. Remember those dreams and resolutions once again and determine that there can be no greater opportunity than this to dedicate our lives for those who have been left behind in the society and those who are underprivileged. Commit yourself by remembering the same spirit. I am surethe vaccination situation in your districts will improve very soon with your collective efforts. Let us make the ‘Har GharDastak’ vaccine campaign successful by visiting every household.I request the people of the country who are listening to me today to come forward.It is good that you have been vaccinated, but you work hard to get others vaccinated. You make it a point to connect 2-5-10 people every day in this endeavor. This is the service to humanity and to Mother Bharati. It is the welfare of 130 crore countrymen.Let there be no hesitation and our Diwali should be the Diwali of those resolutions. We are going to celebrate 75 years of independence. We have very little time to ensure that this 75th year of independence is filled with happiness and is full of confidence. I have faith in all of you. I have faith in a young team like you and that's why I deliberately decided to meet these friends of my country as soon as I came from abroad. All the Chief Ministers were also present and they have demonstrated their seriousness. I am also grateful to all the respected Chief Ministers. I once again thank you all very much. Namaskar!
DISCLAIMER: This is the approximate translation of PM’s speech. Original speech was delivered in Hindi.